The Chauffeur

by A. P. Hallmark

  “You’re right, Dad, it was earth shattering. What can I say, she rocks my world.”

  ~.~

  After our parents leave for dinner, April and I stay in to watch movies. Rita prepared a tray of fun finger foods for us to munch on.

  “I don’t mind Thor so much,” April says, taking the last bite of her slider. “He’s not too hard to look at.”

  I glance at her over my shoulder and raise my eyebrow.

  “Is that how you want to play this?”

  “But you do it for me better, baby,” she responds, seductively licking her fingers.

  “Good answer.” I press play, and The Notebook comes on. “Oh—we’ve been kicked out of the house by the way.”

  “What? Why?” Her eyes are huge.

  “Apparently, the walls aren’t as soundproof as I thought.” We both burst out laughing at being caught after all.

  “It’s just as well. I like having our privacy, and Sherry will be free to run around more there. Here she gets lost, and I have to search for her,” she says, cuddling her new dog on her lap.

  The three of us cuddle up to watch her chick flick. One that I would never have watched on my own, but I don’t mind. I have my girl safe and sound next to me. I will endure anything as long as I have that.

  The following morning April and I, along with our parents, are in the informal dining room having coffee and pastries when Tom shakes the paper and folds it so he can read it more easily.

  “Look at this!” he shouts, placing the paper on the table for us to see. “Aren’t these the people that kidnapped you, April?” It’s a picture of Kate, Helen, and James. I try very hard not to look at everyone at the table suspiciously and continue to look at Tom. He begins to read the headline.

  Local Limousine Fleet Owner Found Dead Alongside Prominent Businesswoman, Kathryn Walsh, and Socialite, Helen Jameson.

  James Devereaux, Kathryn Walsh, and her mother, Helen Jameson were found dead late last night by the manager of a hotel outside of Chicago. Kathryn Walsh, a shrewd local property investor, along with her mother, were allegedly killed in the triple homicide, which is being investigated as a tryst gone bad. Devereaux died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

  Both the mother and daughter were found bound, each with a single gunshot wound to the head.

  “There’s more, but that’s enough for me,” Tom says putting the paper down.

  I look over at my mother, and she’s wiping her teary eyes.

  “What is it, Mother?” I ask, trying not to sound sarcastic.

  “Oh, I was just thinking how close our April came …” she says into her tissue.

  “I’m sure the FBI will be contacting you, baby,” I say, taking her hand in mine.

  “Now that they’ve found the three that kidnapped you, April, I’m sure this case will be closed,” Tom says, still reading the paper. “Thank God they’re off the street.”

  While I sit back and listen to everyone speculate about what they’ve just read in the paper, I have only one more question …

  Where the hell is Matt White?

  Chapter 31

  ~Jason~

  “April, we need to find Matt. We need to talk to him so we can finally close the last chapter on your kidnapping. If we can’t get him to come in on his own, my father will get Sector involved.”

  “I know, and believe me, I understand. I have a feeling his uncle may be hiding him,” she says quietly, nervously looking around.

  “Why don’t we drive over to see if Max is there?” I return, lowering my voice.

  “Do you want to go now?” she replies. I nod, and we head for the garage, taking April’s car since it’s been sitting undriven for a while.

  Having never been to April’s old apartment, I get out of the car and look around at the property. We’ve never had time to delve into April’s past before, and it’s kind of nice.

  “That was my apartment, right there,” she says, pointing to the second-floor apartment on the end. “Let’s go knock on the door to see if he’s there—just in case.”

  “Okay,” I hesitantly agree, hiding April behind me, to protect her—just in case. Knocking on the door several times, no one answers, and when we peek through the window, the apartment is vacant. “It looks like he’s gone,” I say, stating the obvious.

  “Let’s go see Max,” she says, retreating down the stairs then turning to the back of the building. Once we enter the office, Max, a middle-aged Native American, comes from the back room and, upon seeing April, his face lights up as he gathers her into a tight hug.

  “Look at you! You’re radiant.” He holds her away so he can get a better look. His eyes scan her from head to her feet. “April, are you pregnant?”

  She begins to laugh and I, on the other hand, wonder how the hell he did that.

  “Nothing ever gets past you, Max. But yes, Jason and I are expecting our baby in April. We’re getting married in June and, of course, you’re invited.”

  “I better be. Now, where are my cookies?” he says looking behind her for a hidden present.

  “I didn’t bring any today, Max, I’m sorry. I’m here looking for Matt. Is he home?” she asks, forgetting to introduce us.

  Max looks over at me before speaking. “No. How do you know him?”

  “He’s my friend.”

  “He moved into your place for a short time, got a job working for some rich lady, and I haven’t heard from him since. After a while, I had to take his things out of the apartment so that I could rent it again. What do you want with him anyway? How do you know him?” April looks up, hoping I’ll take the lead.

  “Max, I’m Jason Rowe, April’s fiancé. Matt’s in a little bit of trouble, and April’s asked me to help him. If you have any idea where he might be, we sure would appreciate your help.”

  “What kind of trouble?” he asks, looking at April then back to me.

  “Well, did you happen to read in the newspaper about the three found at the hotel outside of town?” I ask, Max’s eyes suddenly get huge.

  “Did he do that? Did he kill those people?” he shouts, stepping back away from April and me.

  “No, no, Max,” April says, trying to calm him. “He had nothing to do that, but he’s mixed up in it.”

  “You see,” I begin, “April was kidnapped several weeks ago by the three that were found in the hotel. Matt became protective of her and our baby. He helped April escape, and that’s landed him in trouble with some dangerous people.

  “April’s alive thanks to his protection, and I’ve agreed to help him out. I fear the longer he stays hidden, the more difficult it is for me to provide him any assistance.” Max looks grieved, but nods and stomps into his hack room.

  “Let me make a quick phone call. I have an idea where he is.” April and I look at each other when we hear him raise his voice, and shortly afterward, he comes storming out of the office.

  “He’s in Battle Mountain, staying with his cousin.” he volunteers angrily.

  “Where’s that?” I ask.

  “It’s in Nevada. It’s the Shoshone reservation where he grew up,” Max says. “He refuses to leave.”

  “Max, you need to talk to him. He went there to hide. He has our phone numbers, so tell him to call one of us as soon as possible. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to protect him. If the tribal authorities and the Feds get involved, Max could be in serious trouble. If the people behind the kidnapping find him first, he’s dead.”

  “Okay, I’ll try to call him again. If necessary, I’ll fly out there myself and beat some sense into him.”

  “I can’t stress the urgency in this, Max,” April says, nearly in tears. “He helped me and kept me alive. He protected me.”

  “I’ll make sure he contacts you, I promise.” Max places his hands over her shoulders and gives her a tight squeeze.

  After a short, calming drive outside of town, we return home in time for dinner with the family. Since April’s parents leave tomorrow, we
thought it would be nice to spend a quiet evening at home with them.

  Once everyone settles in their seats, and before the talk starts about the wedding, I look over at Kyle, giving him silent encouragement to make his announcement. He chuckles, and whispers in Emily’s ear. When she blushes, he clears his throat to get everyone’s attention. He reaches over and takes her hand, grinning down at her.

  “I guess this is the perfect opportunity since everyone is here, to tell you Emily and I are engaged.”

  The whole room lights up with excitement and cheers. My mother especially.

  “Two down,” she sings, beaming at Nicole and Adam.

  “Emily wants to wait until after April and Jason’s wedding to announce it, but we wanted to tell the family at least,” Kyle says, taking a sip of his drink.

  “Absolutely not!” my mother exclaims. “You two will have your engagement party! We only had April and Jason’s party so soon because her parents were already here. We’ll plan yours as well, Emily. It will be wonderful!” I can’t help but chuckle when it’s obvious that mother has shifted into planning mode already.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Rowe,” Emily says, already bouncing in her seat.

  “Don’t you think it’s time you call me Grace? You and April, I swear,” she scolds.

  “Congratulations, brother,” I say, clasping his shoulder. “I’m happy for you. She’s a great girl.”

  “That she is,” Kyle replies, looking over his shoulder at his fiancée, who’s soaking up the attention from everyone. “We’re very lucky, you and I. Our sister is, too. Adam’s good to her, you know?”

  “Yes. If he weren't, we’d be at his door by now.” Kyle and I look back and smile at Nicole, who’s snuggled with Adam amid the huddle surrounding Emily. She must have felt it because she looks up at us returning our smiles. Kyle and I hold our glasses up to salute her, letting her know that she’s next.

  “So, Emily isn’t pregnant, is she?” I ask. Shock coming over his face, he shakes his head.

  “We had a close call already, and because of that, we’ve taken measures that it doesn’t happen again.”

  “Are you ready to start your new job, Professor Sanders?” Kyle asks.

  “Oh, yes. I’m so excited. I have instructor orientation next week, to get my office and class assignments.”

  “I’m so proud of you, baby,” I whisper in her ear. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” She looks up at me and slowly shakes her head. “Well, I plan on showing you later … be ready.” I inwardly chuckle when she shifts her position, and a pretty pink blush comes over her flawless cheeks.

  “Okay,” she says, sighing before returning to take a seat next to Emily.

  “What did you say to her?” Kyle asks. I turn away from him to refill my glass.

  “Nothing,” I shrug, inwardly smiling to myself.

  “It sure didn’t look like nothing,” he teases. I answer by lifting my brow and leaving him guessing.

  The following morning, April and I wake to the shrill ring of her cell phone.

  “Hello.” She bends her head so that I can hear the conversation, too.

  “It’s Matt,” the deep voice on the other end says. “Are you all right, April?”

  “Yes, I am. Jason and his father found me, thanks to your message.”

  “My uncle says you want to help me? It’s my fault they took you in the first place.”

  “You protected me, Matt. Only God knows what they would have done if you hadn’t hidden me.” That’s when I take the phone from April.

  “This is Jason Rowe, and I want to help you only because you saved April and my child, and because she asked me to. Here’s the deal, Matt. You need to come in and talk with my father. He can help you out of your mess. Should you refuse our help, it’s only a matter of time before the FBI or the cartel find you.”

  “The FBI?”

  “They’re stepping up the investigation since they found Kate, Helen, and James.”

  “Wait, you said Kate, Helen, and James. What happened to Robin?”

  “Do you want to know?”

  “No, not really. Tell me when and where and I’ll be there.”

  “How soon can you get to Chicago?”

  “I’m here now. My uncle made me come home last night.”

  “All right, good. Meet my father and me at Rowe Holdings at three o’clock this afternoon.” I end the call. April looks pensive.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m fine. Really.”

  She’s fine until she jumps out of bed and runs to the bathroom she violently vomits. I hold her hair while tossing a thick washcloth under cold water. Folding the cloth, I pat her brow and then down her cheeks to offer some relief.

  “There you go, baby. Do you want a bath?”

  “I’ll take a shower instead. You know, I wish this throwing up would stop,” she says, pausing to brush her teeth. After she steps into the hot water, I run downstairs and get hot ginger tea and crackers to settle her stomach, which she soon devours.

  ~.~

  Waiting impatiently for Matt with my father in his office, I glance at my watch: ten after three. My head jerks around when Sue enters with Matt in tow.

  “Take a seat,” Dad directs.

  Now that I see him face to face, I want to put my fist through it. I guess it shows because my father tells me to calm down.

  “Jason, if you can’t control yourself, you can leave,” he orders. “I have things to talk to Mr. White about, and I can’t do that if you look like you want his balls on a spit.”

  “I’m fine. I can control myself. Go ahead, let’s get this started,” I say, waving my hand for them to begin.

  “Matt, why don’t you explain to us what happened? What prompted you to choose the path you’ve taken?” my father asks, sitting back in his chair. Matt leans his elbows on his knees and weaves his hands through his hair.

  “I owe the bookies so much money. They said they’re going to kill my uncle.”

  “And what made you change your mind to help April in the end?”

  “I heard James say that a kick to April’s stomach would take care of her ‘problem.’ She didn’t want them to know she was pregnant, and her reasons were justified because he did exactly what she feared—he threatened to kill her baby,” Matt looks at me nervously.

  “That’s when I knew it was time to end the farce. One day, while James and Robin were away, I was going through the library finding a book for April, and that’s when I found the panic room. The shelves sounded too hollow, so I started snooping. Then, I was looking for something that April could wear after she showered, and that’s when I found a shitload of meds. When I heard him threaten the baby, it was then I came up with the plan. I made a pot of soup, setting aside a separate bowl for April, and spiked the rest in the pot. Robin and James passed out about twenty minutes after eating. After I tied them up, I placed April in the panic room for safe keeping, and then I ran. Like a chicken shit, I ran.”

  An hour and a half later, Matt has explained everything from the very beginning. My father gets up from his seat and stands at the window.

  “Matt, I’ve run a background check on you. It isn’t pretty. You’ve courted trouble since you were barely out of diapers. Nothing heavy enough to land you in jail, but enough to keep your parents cleaning up after you. Don’t you think it’s time you straighten up your act?”

  “It’s what I was trying to do. The money Kathryn flaunted in front of me was just what I needed to get out of trouble,” Matt explains. “I can’t explain how sorry I am for everything, Sir.”

  “Well, I talked this over with my wife, and I have a proposition for you.” My head snaps up, and I meet my father’s eyes. He holds up his hand as instruction for me to keep quiet.

  “I’m listening,” Matt says, sitting up in his seat.

  “April’s position as our private driver is vacant. I’m prepared to loan you the money to pay your debt, providing you not only take
her place but do whatever work we require of you for Rowe Holdings. You pay your debt directly to my wife. Should you default on this loan, I will find you and present you to her. And, Son,” my father says, putting his hands flat on the desk and leaning into Matt’s face, “you do not want to have a meeting of that type with my wife. So, what do you say?”

  “That’s it? You loan me the money, I work for you to pay it off and that’s it?” Matt asks, astonished. Yeah, he doesn’t want to have to meet my mother.

  “Matt,” I begin, “What my father says about meeting my mother, under those circumstances, is not frivolous. It won’t be a bitch-out session. It will be physically life-altering.”

  My father drops a canvas bag on his desk and slowly unzips it displaying the contents. It’s the money for Matt to pay his debt. “I have two men outside to escort you to your bookie. Pay your debt in full, and my men will ensure that no suspicious costs are added to the loan. Then tomorrow, you will start bright and early at MileHigh.”

  “What? Father, what are you up to?” I ask, no longer able to suppress my frustration.

  “We’re going to make Mr. Scott accountable for the murder of those aboard the plane, and Matt’s going to help us along with Paul, aren’t you, Matt?”

  Three days later, my father arranges a meeting at his office. This is going to be good.

  “Gentlemen, take a seat,” my father instructs as he waves his hands toward the empty chairs. After Paul, Matt and I get comfortable, my father pours Chivas on the rocks for each of us. Once we have our drinks, he takes his seat in the oversized chair that’s facing us.

  “What’s going on, Dad?” I ask after taking a generous swallow of my drink.

  “It’s time to take down Mr. Scott,” he replies nonchalantly. “And I have a plan.”

  ~.~

  “Mr. Scott, I’d like you to meet Paul Wainwright and Matt White. Paul is your new design engineer, and Matt is the new electrical engineer. Gentlemen, meet the plant manager, Andrew Scott.”

  I watch as Scott’s eyes flit back and forth between Paul and Matt. When his eyes land on Matt, there’s an obvious hint of recognition. Matt discreetly shakes his head indicating he wants Scott to keep his mouth shut. I barely catch the movement myself.